What does a Director of Nursing do?
Directors of Nursing are responsible for ensuring all nursing personnel are performing productively and efficiently at all times. They often act as the point of contact between their employees and the Physicians or other healthcare team members. Directors of Nursing build training programs and operating policies that help the nursing staff meet goals that improve the overall performance of the healthcare facility.
Many of them are responsible for recruiting, hiring and onboarding new nursing team members. Directors of Nursing are usually given a budget that they must follow and consider when ordering new supplies and making any other financial decisions.
Director of Nursing skills and qualifications
Directors of Nursing need a variety of hard skills, soft skills and qualifications, such as:
- Excellent multitasking and organization skills
- Ability to lead and instruct others
- Interpersonal skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Up-to-date knowledge of nursing practices, methods and tools
- Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to manage a large budget
Director of Nursing salary expectations
A Director of Nursing makes an average of $94,862 per year. Salary may depend on level of experience, education and the geographical location.
Director of Nursing salary expectations
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Common salary:
107633.79 YEARLY -
Typical salaries range from
42000.00 -202000.00 YEARLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Director of Nursing education and training requirements
Directors of Nursing must be Registered Nurses. They should have at least an associate degree, though many employers prefer a bachelor’s degree. They also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), and maintain a current nursing license. Often, a Master of Science in Nursing or Healthcare Administration might be necessary. A Director of Nursing gains years of training throughout their career as a Registered Nurse.
Director of Nursing experience requirements
Candidates for a Director of Nursing position should have full-time, consistent experience as a Registered Nurse for several years. A minimum of four years or more of consistent full-time nursing experience is useful for a Director of Nursing job.
Some healthcare facilities, such as hospitals or nursing homes, require several years of supervisory experience before they consider a Director of Nursing candidate. A master’s degree can serve as a substitute for some experience. Healthcare requirements also may vary from state to state for being a Director of Nursing.
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